Unit One: American Identity and the Constitution
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Class One: All 9/3
Focus Question:
Introduction to US History

Activities:
1. Receive Readers and go over daily agenda
2. Introductions:

Homework: complete p. 2- What it means to be an America?
Due 9/4- All

Class Two: 9/4- All
Focus Question:
Course introduction

Activities:
1. Explain homework- go through each of the American Identity readings and identify each author (pages 5-11)
2. Go over course expectations
3. Go over readers and wikispace

Homework:
Orange- No homework
Green and Blue- Below assignment due Monday
Assign American Identity readings ( pages 5-11 Reader)– read and annotate- especially from the lens of how each of these authors perceive their role as an American
Assignment due for Green and Blue on Monday 9/9

Class Three: 9/6- Orange 9/9- Green and Blue
Focus:

  • How have Americans redefined “We the People” over time?
  • What are the promises of being an American and what are the contradictions in this promise?

Activities:
1. Finish going over course syllabus (Green and Blue only)
2. Go over homework- Create t-chart- why are there differences in responses of what it means to be an American?
3. Where do what we consider "American ideals" come from?
4. Read Declaration of Independence- take notes- p. 3
5.Where does the statement “We the People” come from?
b. Why is this statement a piece of the Constitution that people remember
c. When reading the Constitution what/who does the statement “We the People” include?
d. Then ask: Is what defines a citizen in 1789 the same as in 2013?
6. Read preamble to Constitution- p. 4
- What are our nations Ideals?
-Are they a reality for all?

Homework: Assignments due next class
Orange Only-
Assign American Identity readings ( pages 5-11 Reader)– read and annotate- especially from the lens of how each of these authors perceive their role as an American
All- Read and annotate assigned Immigrant Vignette- pages13-20 (Again only read the ONE you were assigned)
Check below if you were absent for the specific readings you are assigned:

Giuliana Psyhogeos- Please read/annotate page 5 and answer questions on page 12 (Based on your reading p.5)
Please read and annotate pages 19+20

Class Four: Orange Monday 9/9 Blue/Green Tues 9/10
Focus:
What are the promises of being an American and what are the contradictions to that promise?

Activities:
1. Jigsaw- De-Brief readings pages 5-11.
3. Socratic Seminars- Comparing responses
4. Jigsaw- Immigrant Vignettes- p. 21

Homework:
American Identity Paragraph- p. 22
Due all classes Friday Sept. 13th- Orange must be handed in by 2:30

Class Five: Orange +Blue (9/11) Green 9/12
Focus: What problems need to be resolved when creating a new government?
Great Gift Ever Day!!

Activities:
1. Writing a Constitution-24+25
2. Identify Problems/Needs/Fears- led to Constitutional Convention
3. Brief Lecture- Constitutional Convention
4. Receive greatest gift
5. Go over major Compromises- pages 26+27

Homework:
Paragraph page 22- Due Friday all sections- Orange we don't have class- so put in folder outside room or hand to me
Read Constitution and complete pages 28+29

Class Six: Orange (9/12) Blue and Green (9/13)
Focus: How does the Constitution protect against tyranny of the masses?
American Paragraph due for Blue and Green

Activities:
1. Read "Creating a New Government:- pages 30+31
2. Go over major principles of Constitution
a. Federalism- Pages 34
b. Separation of Power- Page 32+33
- Who is in branch
- Outlines duties
c. Elastic Clause- p. 35

Homework:
Read the Constitution and complete pages 28+29

Class Seven: Monday 9/16- All Classes
Focus: How does the Constitution protect against tyranny of the masses?

Activities:
1. Structure of the Constitution- see powerpoint below

2. Checks and Balances- 36+37
3. Elastic Clause

Homework:
Read and annotate 49-56- Due class 9 (Orange 9/18 Blue/Green 9/19)

Class Eight: Orange (9/17) Green/Blue (9/18)
Focus:
How does the Constitution protect against tyranny of the masses?
What was the major debate over ratifying the Constitution?

​Activities:
1. Electoral College
2. Go over political cartoon assignment- p. 57 of reader
3. Read Ratifying the Constitution- pages 40+41
4. Go over differences in Fed v. Anti Fed
5. Present Different advertisements

Homework:
Read and annotate pages 49-56

Class Nine: Orange 9/18 Green/Blue 9/19
Focus: Why was the Bill of Rts. added to the Constitution?
What are your rights?

Activities:
1. Go over Political Cartoon Assignment
2. Amendment Process- p. 39
3. Complete Bill of Rights- 43-46
4. Begin Judicial Branch Powerpont

Homework:
Make your claim and evidence that will address the political cartoon assignment
Read War of Words - p.58-61 and answer questions p.62 and 63
Political Cartoon Due Wednesday 9/25

Class Ten: Orange/Blue (9/20) Green (9/23)
Focus:
What are the qualities that make the Constitution an enduring document?

Activities:
1. Judicial Branch p. 64

2. If time permits, work with partner sharing claims for political Cartoons.

Homework:
Study for test- Wednesday September 25th

Class Eleven: Monday Orange (9/23) Blue/Green (9/24)
Junior Thesis is assigned- see link for reader

Class Twelve: Wednesday 9/25
Test